If you thought all a writer does is sit at her desk and write, think again! I spent an afternoon with a friend and her talented daughter composing a background score and singing Rooster Raga for my session around my new book Rooster Raga. Hear us croon out the Rooster Raga and join the fun from home as you read the book and sing along to the song. Background score by Kaiya Pandit (11 years) Vocals by Priyanka Pandit Supporting vocals by Natasha Sharma Lyrics from the book Rooster Raga Here’s a sneak peek into the book with the lyrics laid out… I read from the book and sing and dance to the Rooster Raga this weekend at the Junior Writers Bug festival, Maharashtra Nature Park, Mumbai. Sunday, December 8th, 11:45am. Share...

What a delightful and satisfying weekend this was! Bookaroo in Pune had the venue Sambhaji Park packed to capacity, hordes of excited children and lots and lots of storytelling. My session, Jive to the Rooster Raga had delightful moments with the children joining in and dancing with me to the rooster raga. The session on Bonkers had a 200 strong crowd go bonkers as we talked about dogs and madcap adventures, both real and imaginary. We then drew our very own Bonkers dog and after a bit of a debate on whether to give my dog spots, we decided to give him a nice dose of patches. Donning my moustache and turban for Icky, Yucky, Mucky (it was too hot for the robe!) enables me to be that extra bit messy. Burps, slurps and nibbles come to the fore with extra panache once that fuzzy growth appears on my upper lip! We had a riot of splotch monsters come to life at the end of the session with each child creating their own to take home. For art activities around Icky, Yucky, Mucky! do look into the art and teacher kits for the book. A wonderful weekend and I hope that Bookaroo is back in Pune next year. Now, onward to the exciting Junior Writers Bug festival in Mumbai next weekend. Do join me for sessions around Bonkers and Rooster Raga. For session timings and venue click here. Share...

Sunday was a day spent in Chembur at the Junior Writers Bug children literature festival and despite the distance and Mumbai temperature to new highs, a turn into the leafy lane near St. Anthony’s school was a respite to the senses. With three workshops back to back, I had my hands full and my voice supported by many cups of tea. But what a wonderful experience! My first workshop with 40 kids – a reading of Kaka and Munni with a collage activity had the kids curious about the Dhol music that started the reading. With context of a folktale from Punjab, I read out the story with my crow puppet and a tambourine for rhythm. Much sticking followed to give us a whole forest of trees on Earth day! The next one ‘Rhyme and Rhythm in poetry’ was a house full and I was amazed yet again with the words thought up and limericks that children created in one hour. And to round off a fun morning was a packed room full of kids waiting to hear Icky, Yucky, Mucky! and make their own splotch monsters. A big thumbs up to the Junior Writers Bug team and I hope that this can go on to become an annual event. Share...

Will be at the Junior Writer’s Bug Literary Festival to be held next weekend April 21st and 22nd in Mumbai. SO glad to see someone putting together a children’s lit festival here. I am conducting three sessions on Sunday, April 22nd 2012. 10am -11am: A first reading from my book Kaka and Munni (published by Pratham Books) followed by children making a collage. Ages 4-7 years 11:15am – 12:15pm: Time to create your own Rhyme and Rhythm. A workshop for children on writing poetry. Ages 7-10 years 12:30 – 1:30pm: Dramatised reading of Icky, Yucky, Mucky (published by Young Zubaan) accompanied by many a slurp and burp. Reading to be followed by children making their own monsters. Ages 4-7 years. Venue: St. Anthony’s Girls High School, Chembur. There is a lot more scheduled in the festival, from illustrations, story writing, script writing, puppetry and more. For more details on the event, the complete schedule and registration form (pre registration suggested since workshops have limited seats) visit the Writer’s bug website. Looking forward! Share...